"Houghton Le Spring and Chester Le Street, Co. Durham"

"Gateshead, Co. Durham"

"This populous parish includes the townships of Houghton-le-Spring, and Warden-Law.  The ancient parish consisted of the townships of Hetton-le-Hole, Penshaw, East Rainton, West Rainton, Newbottle, East and Middle Herrington, West Herrington, Offerton, South Biddick, Burn Moors, Morton Grange, Cocken, Moor House, Moorsley, Eppleton, Little Eppleton, and Warden Law, and was bounded by Bishopwearmouth on the north-east, by the river Wear on the north, by Chester-le-Street on the west, by St. Giles parish on the south-west, Pittington and Easington on the south, and Dalton-le-Dale and Seaham on the east.   "Wardenlaw is a small township, two miles east of Houghton-le-Spring. Its area is 498 acres, and its ratable value is £3219, 10s." [From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]

"This parish anciently comprised the townships of Birtley, Chester-le-Street, Edmondsley, Lamesley, Lambton, Lumley, Great and Little Plawsworth, Pelton, and Waldridge.  At various periods parishes have been formed from this extensive parish, which now only embraces the townships of Chester-le-Street, Plawsworth, and Waldridge.   Under Act 34 of George III, 1794, a general enclosure of the common lands took place.   At this time the commons of Chester South Moor, West Moor, Plawsworth Moor, Edmondsley Moor, Whitehall Moor, and Pelton Moor, containing 1500 acres were divided according to the holding of the ancient estate, sixpence an acre being reserved to the See of Durham for ever.  The manor remained with the see till within recent times, and included Boldon, Cleadon, Whitburn, and the copyholds of the parish of Chester.
"Chester-le-Street contains 2534 acres, and its ratable value is £28,715.
"Plawsworth Township, partly in the parish of Sacriston, comprises an area of 1224 acres, its ratable value being £6053.
"Waldridge Township has an area of 732 acres, and its ratable value is £5319."
[From History, Topography and Directory of Durham, Whellan, London, 1894]

Comment:  This Branch is probably linked to branches 30D and 30G.

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